The Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has suggested introduction of a road delivery challan for vegetable traders for the Agriculture department to get accurate data on the varieties of veggies produced from every district of the state.
“We want the government to regulate the farmers, wherein through the respective BDOs, it can also have the number of farmers and accurate figures of vegetables produced. Through this we will also be able to determine the demand from markets outside the state,” FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit said.
The group met with Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh with the suggestion. However, the minister said she was not authorised to discuss the introduction of the challan without proper consultation.
Lyngdoh said she will seek advice from the transport and police departments on the matter and the FKJGP could seek guidance from the district council on the matter.
“We are anyways deciding to initiate the review of our marketing boards and how they are functioning. Right now we have one marketing board which is a centralized board. We need to decentralize this and also make sure that we have marketing boards in all districts,” Lyngdoh said.
Meanwhile, the FKJGP through its agriculture cell and the All Meghalaya Traders Fresh Vegetable Association have urged the government not to levy tax on vehicles transporting vegetables.
The delegation also highlighted the problems faced by vegetable traders commuting through the dilapidated Lumshnong stretch along the National Highway 6 in East Jaintia Hills.